Victoria M Gordon

Our beloved mom, grandma, and friend Vicky Gordon departed this Earth on Saturday, November 4, after a brief illness. She was surrounded by loved ones. Victoria Marie Davis was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 17, 1945 to Edward Davis and Cleo White. Her father was an organizer for the Teamsters Union so Vicky spent her childhood traveling around the country. She attended schools in Stockton and Palm Springs, graduating from Palm Springs High School in 1963. Married to Rick Hawkins at 18, they welcomed their daughter Elizabeth. Vicky earned her cosmetology license and worked for twenty years as a "manicurist to the stars" in Los Angeles. After her first marriage ended, Vicky met Larry Gordon. They married and welcomed their daughter Timerie. Vicky, Larry and their daughters went on many adventures that took them from Los Angeles to Minnesota and permanently to Santa Cruz County in 1979. Vicky earned her real estate and broker's licenses, and was an agent and mortgage broker for many years in Santa Cruz. Vicky and Larry were active in the community. They participated in raising funds and building floats for the Capitola Begonia Festival in the 80's. Later, after Larry's AIDS diagnosis, they became active with the Santa Cruz AIDS project and Project First Hand, being among the first to speak publicly to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. Vicky was a founding board member for Dientes Dental Clinic, and instrumental in the purchase of their first clinic site. Vicky was focused on making a difference, but she also enjoyed the simple things. She was a loving mother and dedicated grandma to her daughters and their children. She enjoyed going to lunch and movies with friends and loved her home on Library Lane. Her optimism and independence remained strong, and she continued to delight and entertain friends with her witty humor and contagious laugh, even as she battled chronic pain and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder. Vicky would have celebrated one year sober at the end of November. Vicky was predeceased in death by her parents; her sisters Carol and Medrith; her first and second spouses; and her son-in-law Peter Stoll. She is survived by her daughters Elizabeth Gordon-Stoll and Timerie Gordon (Christian Nielsen); her beloved grandsons, Elijah and Isaac Stoll, and Marshall Gordon Nielsen; her brother James (Jimmy) Davis; and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of Vicky’s life will be held at the Sesnon House, 6500 Soquel Dr., Aptos, CA on Saturday May 19, 2018 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are preferred to Dientes Dental Clinic, 1830 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95065.